Fujitsu is launching an Open All-Photonics Network (Open APN) lab in Düsseldorf, Germany, to accelerate adoption of photonics-based networking technologies.
Open from November 2024 to March 2025, this facility is Fujitsu’s first Open APN lab outside Japan. The company says the lab will support global promotion of its Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) vision, which combines an All-Photonics Network, digital twin capabilities, and a cognitive foundation to enable advanced, efficient network services.
The Düsseldorf lab will give visitors hands-on exposure to Open APN technology, demonstrating its operational simplicity, flexibility, and interoperability. Network operators, data centre managers, and equipment vendors will be able to validate APN features, test multi-vendor connectivity, and evaluate real-world deployment scenarios.
Open APNs are engineered to interconnect products and solutions from different vendors while delivering high capacity, ultra-low latency, and substantially lower power consumption compared with conventional architectures. These characteristics are intended to support next-generation services that demand high performance and energy efficiency.
“By establishing the Open APN Lab, Fujitsu aims to broaden understanding of Open APN technology and promote wider adoption of this low-power, high-capacity approach as part of its commitment to a sustainable society,” the company said.
Düsseldorf was selected for its strong telecoms ecosystem and convenient transport links. Its international airport and proximity to major European cities make the lab easy to access for carriers and technology partners across Germany and the continent.
Located in the Fujitsu Technology Solutions building, the lab will let companies experience Fujitsu-developed APN systems directly and observe tangible benefits in controlled environments. Fujitsu will also use the space to present practical APN use cases and highlight how these networks could enable new services in the future.
The Open APN Lab is part of a wider initiative backed by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to run field trials assessing APN feasibility in Europe. Fujitsu plans additional field trials after the lab closes in March 2025, and intends to expand its APN lab program to other regions, including North America.
(Image Credit: Fujitsu)
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